Hilltown Families 
Maple Sugar Season Events for 2012
Maple Sugar Season 2012
Maple syrup is the first harvest of the year, and this year it’s arrived a couple of weeks early. Trees being tapped, sap is being boiled and sugar shacks are serving up their sweet harvest. Read our post, Q&A: Where’s Your Favorite Sugar Shack in Western MA? to discover a sugar shack nearest you, and take the family to check out these events below happening in March:
And while enjoying time with the family at home, tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show Sheep Shearing & Maple Syrup Episode Podcast, originally broadcasted on Valley Free Radio (103.3FM WXOJ, Northampton) in 2009.
WEEKDAYS IN MARCH
MAPLE SUGAR TOURS: Join the DCR Park Staff at the Krug Sugarbush weekdays during the month of March to see how maple syrup is produced. Visitors will learn first-hand how the sap is collected from maple trees and boiled down to produce pure maple syrup. Operation is based on weather, so please call one day prior to your visit. Advanced group reservations are welcome. For more information please call 413-268-7098. Chesterfield, MA (FREE)
SATURDAY, MARCH 3
1-3pm – FARM ADVENTURE: Sheep Hill’s annual winter open house takes place today! Hosted by the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, the event will include snowshoeing (if there’s snow), an animal tracking workshop, an eco-hike, crafts, and maple treats to celebrate the beginning of maple season! 413-458-2494. 671 Cold Spring Road. Williamstown, MA. (FREE)
SUNDAY, MARCH 4
8:30am-3pm – LOCAL FOOD/MAPLE: Enjoy a traditional New England breakfast of pancakes and delicious local syrup! South Face Farm’s sugar shack is open for the season- don’t miss out! Learn about how syrup is made before you visit to truly appreciate the experience. 413-628-3268. 755 Watson-Spruce Corner Road. Ashfield, MA. ($)
9:30-4pm – LOCAL FOOD/HISTORY: Visit Old Sturbridge Village to learn about maple syrup production! You’ll get to see what sap collecting and syrup and sugar making was like during the 19th century. There will be lots of activities for families, including talks with reenactors about their 1800’s lives. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road. Sturbridge, MA. ($)
SATURDAY, MARCH 10
9:30-11:30am – FARM ADVENTURE: Red Gate Farm’s Family Farm Day takes place today! Visit the farm to learn all about maple sugaring! Kids will learn to identify a sugar maple, tap a tree, and understand the process of making sap into syrup. Yum! Call to register. 413-625-9503. 4 Norman Road. Buckland, MA. ($)
9:30-4pm – HISTORY: Visit Old Sturbridge Village to learn about maple syrup production! You’ll get to see what sap collecting and syrup and sugar making was like during the 19th century. There will be lots of activities for families, including talks with reenactors about their 1800’s lives. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road. Sturbridge, MA. ($)
11am-2pm – MAPLEFEST: Bring the family to visit a working sugar house, bottling of maple syrup, assist in tapping maple trees and gathering the sap, and enjoy fresh syrup on delicious pancakes at Hopkins Forest. Kids can see how demos of old-time methods of evaporation used in pre-colonial times and learn about the history of maple sugaring in exhibit and displays. Junction of Bulkley Street and Northwest Hill Road. 413-597-4277. Williamstown, MA (FREE)
2-4pm – OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: Spend the afternoon showshoeing Red Gate Farm’s trails! The hike will take visitors through the farm’s sugarbush, and the mid-hike snack will include a taste of Red Gate’s own maple syrup! Call to register. 413-625-9503. 4 Norman Road. Buckland, MA. ($)
SUNDAY, MARCH 11
8:30am-3pm – LOCAL FOOD: Enjoy a traditional New England breakfast of pancakes and delicious local syrup! South Face Farm’s sugar shack is open for the season- don’t miss out! Learn about how syrup is made before you visit to truly appreciate the experience. 413-628-3268. 755 Watson-Spruce Corner Road. Ashfield, MA. ($)
9:30-4pm – HISTORY: Visit Old Sturbridge Village to learn about maple syrup production! You’ll get to see what sap collecting and syrup and sugar making was like during the 19th century. There will be lots of activities for families, including talks with reenactors about their 1800’s lives. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road. Sturbridge, MA. ($)
10am-12Noon – PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The West Springfield Lions Club will be serving pancakes and a breakfast menu at the Storrowton Village’s Red Barn. 413-205-5051. 1305 Memorial Avenue. West Springfield, MA ($)
11am-3pm – MAPLE HARVEST DAY: Storrowton Village Museum hosts their 7th annual Maple Harvest Day. Families can learn about the local history and lore of maple sugaring through demonstrations at the museum. Demos will include boiling sap and tapping trees. The learning continues indoors too with cooking demos in their 19th century open hearth along with quilting and spinning demos. 413-205-5051. 1305 Memorial Avenue. West Springfield, MA (FREE)
SATURDAY, MARCH 17
9am-3pm – MAPLEFEST: The annual Chester Maplefest begins with a pancake breakfast at the Church of Chester on Skyline Trail. Then during the day, there are crafters in the old schoolhouse, hayrides to High Meadow Farm’s Sugarhouse, animal exhibits and entertainment at the church as well as food vendors. 413-667-3410. Chester, MA
